The new store will sell upcycled products and antiques. Emmaus supports people that have been homeless by giving them a somewhere to live, meaningful work and an opportunity to get back on their feet again.

Linda cut the ribbon along with Hunsley Primary School pupil, four-year-old Harriet Slater.

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“At Emmaus we re-sell lots of unwanted furniture items and goods. If you are interested in seeing what we do, be it upcycling or recycling, please come and visit us.”

Outside the new Emmaus store in Whitefriargate

Speaking about why Linda had been asked to cut the ribbon, operations manager, Alex Slater, said: “We first met her last year. She came into the shop and bought a load of stuff. She then promoted us on social media. She’s really in to her upcycling.

“We are excited about having this shop because it gives us a city centre footprint.

“We’ve only been open a week so far and we’ve had the most phenomenal start. The support we’ve received has been fantastic.”

TV star Linda Barker cut the ribbon at last night's event

The shop’s opening coincides with the start of late night shopping in the city. The store will now open until 8pm every Thursday in the run up to Christmas.

Emmaus is also holding a concert at Hymers College on Thursday, December 21, at 7pm. Tickets are £5 and are available from the new city centre store.